Liz David-Barrett
Director of the Centre for the Study of Corruption, University of Sussex
- Check out the latest research news from the Centre for the Study of Corruption and the GI ACE programme!
- 🚨 The January 2026 edition of the GI ACE Newsletter is out now! Inside you’ll find information about our latest publications, events, blogs, podcasts, and more. 🔗 Read this month’s newsletter: bit.ly/3LXvojB 🔗 Subscribe to receive future editions via email: bit.ly/49Xj62F
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettJoin us on 5 Feb 2026 (2–3pm GMT) for a GI ACE seminar on using leaked & sensitive data to research illicit finance, with @szakonyi.bsky.social and Tom Mayne, chaired by @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social. In collaboration with the Illicit Finance Data Lab. Register here: bit.ly/3ZkcV3U
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettOur first Kickback episode of 2026 🎙️ @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social speaks with Anna Persson on why anticorruption reforms fail, systemic corruption as collective action, and why transparency alone isn’t enough. 🎧 bit.ly/SpotifyKB142 🎧 bit.ly/SoundCloudKB... 🎧 bit.ly/AppleKB142
- Lots of food for thought here over the holidays!
- New KickBack episode: @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social speaks with Naomi Roht-Arriaza on how grand corruption undermines human rights, blocks post-conflict justice, and why recognising victims and broader reparations matters. Listen: bit.ly/AppleKB141 | bit.ly/SoundCloudKBep141
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettNew KickBack episode: @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social speaks with Naomi Roht-Arriaza on how grand corruption undermines human rights, blocks post-conflict justice, and why recognising victims and broader reparations matters. Listen: bit.ly/AppleKB141 | bit.ly/SoundCloudKBep141
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettNew GI ACE blog: How can the IMF help counter state capture? @tshipley1.bsky.social & @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social explore the Fund’s growing role, its leverage in reforms, and the risks that could hold it back. Read more: bit.ly/StateCapture...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettPart 3 of #GIACE’s blog series is out! @devipillay.co.za unpacks the Zondo Commission’s 353 recommendations and why South Africa’s post-capture reforms remain uneven. Key gaps persist in law enforcement and whistle-blower protection. Read more: bit.ly/GIACEPart3
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettProfessional enablers often work behind the scenes—but their influence can drive corruption and state capture. Join our GI ACE roundtable with @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social, @devipillay.co.za, Alex Cooley, @jheathershaw.bsky.social, Corentin Cohen and @tenaprelec.bsky.social 🔗 bit.ly/GIACERoundtable
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettI had such a fun time speaking with @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social on the KickBack podcast about the role that both voters and women officeholders can play in electoral accountability for corruption in Latin America. Thanks for having me on @kickbackgap.bsky.social!
- 🎙️ New KickBack Ep. 140! Why do voters support corrupt politicians? @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social talks with emilyelia.bsky.social about why voters back corrupt politicians - and whether women candidates help parties recover after scandals. 🎧 Listen: SoundCloud bit.ly/SoundcloudKB140
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettToday’s #GIACEseminar was a lively dive into how illicit finance is reshaping tourism and hospitality. Thank you to Jean-Patrick Villeneuve, @ofabianobomfim.bsky.social, Dieter Zinnbauer, @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social and all the participants who joined! Learn more: bit.ly/corruptionin...
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett🚨The Nov GI ACE Newsletter is out! From real estate money laundering to sanctions evasion & a new blog on anti-money-laundering in the Global South — explore the latest from the GI ACE network. 🔗Read: bit.ly/GIACENewsletter_7 🔗SUB: bit.ly/NewsletterSUB
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettNew KB episode: @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social talks with József Péter Martin and Áron Hajnal about research on Hungary, state capture dynamics, EU conditionality, and scenarios ahead of April 2026. Listen: Soundcloud: bit.ly/47cGU2J #Governance #StateCapture #EU #Hungary
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettThis month in GI ACE: new insights on corruption in carbon markets, state capture and legal accountability. Watch, read and listen to the latest research from across the GI ACE network. 🔗Full October newsletter: bit.ly/GIACENewsletter6 🔗Subscribe here: bit.ly/NewsletterSUB
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettHow do consulting giants enable state capture? @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social talks to @devipillay.co.za on McKinsey’s role in South Africa, drawing on the Zondo Commission. 🔗Listen: bit.ly/KBspotify138 🔗Paper: lnkd.in/eczS5NAM #StateCapture #SouthAfrica #AntiCorruption
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett🌍 Applications are open for the Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship at ITC (Geneva). Work with a UN–WTO agency supporting SMEs in developing countries, contribute to trade strategies, and take part in high-level discussions. Deadline: 20/11/25 🔗 Apply now: mo.ibrahim.foundation/fellowships
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettReally enjoyed chatting cleaning up politics with @politicshome.bsky.social along with @petergeoghegan.bsky.social, @danieljbruce.bsky.social and Lloyd Hatton MP. Lots to do still...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettJoin us on 18 September as we kickoff our first #GIACESeminar with Dan Marks & @jenniferscotland.bsky.social from @rusi.bsky.social, and reflections from Pablo Fernandez (EcoSecurities). 📖 Scoping Corruption in Voluntary Carbon Markets 🕰️ 12:30–1:30 PM (UK time) 🔗 bit.ly/GIACESeminar1
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett#GIACE hosted our Mid-Year Conference (8–9 Sept) with researchers, Fellows, FCDO & CSO partners. Day 1 featured multiple panels on research themes, ending with a roundtable on the Changing Global Order. Day 2 focused on impact - turning research into real-world solutions and more. bit.ly/giaceconf
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett@lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social co-chaired a panel on state capture at the @ecpr.bsky.social annual meeting in Thessaloniki. Our takeaway: Tackling capture means understanding not just corruption itself, but the mechanisms & motivations that make states vulnerable. Recap blog> bit.ly/ecprconferen...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettRadical right accommodation really does not work. New paper out with this exceptionally talented team @katharinalawall.bsky.social @robjohns75.bsky.social @drjennings.bsky.social @sarahobolt.bsky.social @zachdickson.bsky.social @danjdevine.bsky.social & @jack-bailey.co.uk doi.org/10.31235/osf...
- New paper! Q: Does State Capture Facilitate Strategic Corruption? www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... A: Not necessarily. Even where states are deeply captured, supra-national and domestic institutions with oversight functions can create regulatory barriers
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettMasking who wields real influence …..? Time to introduce a comprehensive statutory lobbying register to shine a light on lobbying whatever name it goes by….? @danieljbruce.bsky.social @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettPortugal’s Attorney General has launched a probe into possible corruption involving Portuguese construction firm Zagope and the eldest son of Equatorial Guinea’s longtime dictator, following an exposé by ICIJ and its media partners. Read our latest: www.icij.org/news/2025/07...
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett📚 Highlights from the CSC Summer Academy! Two days of rich discussion on state capture, grand corruption, integrity in sport, and more. Interested in anti-corruption? Apply to our MA in Corruption & Governance: lnkd.in/e-vEK2sb #AntiCorruption #GoodGovernance #CSC
- Thanks Mo @mo.ibrahim.foundation for a really fascinating discussion about #anticorruption, #goodgovernance, #aid and #doingbusiness in Africa!
- 🎙️ New Kickback episode: Mo Ibrahim joins @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social to talk about founding the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, African-led governance, the IIAG & leadership prize. Inspiring insights on self-reliance & reform. 🎧 Listen: apple.co/46MHZOD | bit.ly/4eWj9Ot | bit.ly/KB136Soundcloud
- Check out this very frank and open conversation with Mo Ibrahim about how to tackle corruption and improve governance in Africa!
- 🎙️ New Kickback episode: Mo Ibrahim joins @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social to talk about founding the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, African-led governance, the IIAG & leadership prize. Inspiring insights on self-reliance & reform. 🎧 Listen: apple.co/46MHZOD | bit.ly/4eWj9Ot | bit.ly/KB136Soundcloud
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettDavid Lammy has announced a UK-led Summit on illicit financial flows- will it deliver in tackling kleptocracy and corruption? blogs.sussex.ac.uk/centre-for-t... @spotlightcorruption.org @racheldavies.bsky.social @duncanhames.bsky.social @sussexscsc.bsky.social @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettIs it now time for national and international law to designate the “kleptocratic enterprise” of elites and professionals as a form of serious organised crime? @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social @danieljbruce.bsky.social theconversation.com/come-meet-us...
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett@danieljbruce.bsky.social shared his insights on global corruption with us in Feb ‘22, and @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social joined us in Nov ‘22 to talk about #statecapture You can view both via our archive www.kwaku.org.uk/Video.html
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettFinancial institutions are the arteries of modern economies—but when captured, they become pipelines for illicit wealth. @acdatacollective.bsky.social's new brief "Inside the Congo Hold-Up" shows how BGFIBank DRC was hijacked by the Kabila regime to launder public funds. 🔗 bit.ly/ACDCPolicyBr...
- Come work with us!
- 📢 Now hiring! Join the University of Sussex as a Lecturer in Politics (part-time, fixed-term) and help teach on our renowned MA in Corruption and Governance. Remote teaching possible (UK-based only). Apply by 21 July: jobs.sussex.ac.uk/job/08e2705d...
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett📺NEW VIDEO📺 Last night, key British offshore financial centres failed to meet their own deadline for revealing who owns companies registered there. It’s time the UK Government escalates its response & ensures places like the BVI are no longer safe havens for the world's corrupt. Watch and read ⤵️
- Trump v. Musk. How buddying up to autocrats can turn sour for business leaders... Fear and favour in captured states open.substack.com/pub/elizabet...
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett[This post could not be retrieved]
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettWhat does state capture mean for UNCAC implementation? In a new #GIACE blog, Tom Shipley explores how the UNCAC process often overlooks the systemic nature of capture, and what a more effective approach could look like. 🔗 Blog: giace.org/statecapture... 🔗 Also Read: bit.ly/uncaccoaliti...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettState capture is a deliberate strategy to dismantle democratic checks & repurpose public institutions for private gain. The @uncaccoalition.bsky.social warns it’s eroding the very institutions UNCAC helped build, turning anti-corruption bodies into political tools. 📖 bit.ly/uncaccoalitionstatement
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett🚨 Upcoming ACE Seminar Inside the Congo Hold-Up: How a Captured Bank Enabled Grand Corruption 🗓️ 10 July 2025 🕓 4–5 PM UK Time 💻 Online 🔗 Register: bit.ly/aceseminar8 @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social @sussexscsc.bsky.social @szakonyi.bsky.social @acdatacollective.bsky.social
-
View full threadReposted by Liz David-BarrettJoin @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social (GI ACE) as she chairs a crucial conversation with: 🔹 @szakonyi.bsky.social (@acdatacollective.bsky.social) 🔹 Anrike Visser (Global Ground Consulting) They’ll unpack how financial institutions are weaponised for corruption — and what this means for reform.
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettSome snapshots from the #ICRNForum2025 Powerful insights from the GIACE community in today's sessions: 🛠️ Tools of Change, spotlighting innovation from the Global South in tackling corruption (Fellows) 🗳️ Joint Session: Corruption & Democracy,with @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social as one of the speakers.
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett[This post could not be retrieved]
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettMy interview with Monocle Radio's 'The Globalist' show on the Polish presidential election: monocle.com/radio/shows/...
- Check out our latest updates on research about what works to tackle #corruption and #statecapture..!
- 🚨The latest GI ACE newsletter is out now—featuring new research on civil society & state capture, events on Congo Hold-Up and shifting financial hubs, plus a deep dive into South Africa’s Zondo Commission. 🔗Read & subscribe: bit.ly/giacenewslet... #AntiCorruption #CorruptionResearch #StateCapture
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett[This post could not be retrieved]
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettReading this and thinking back to @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social and @danieljbruce.bsky.social visits in 2022….. www.kwaku.org.uk/Video.html www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett🚨 New GI ACE Research Project Announced We’re pleased to award a new grant to the University of Bristol for: 🧭 “State Capture from the Grassroots: Civil Society Efforts and Public Perceptions” Led by @carynpeiffer.bsky.social, Nic Cheeseman & Zenobia Ismail. 🔗 giace.org/projects/sta...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettOn ‘State Capture’ - this is well worth a watch from the universally excellent @petergeoghegan.bsky.social & @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social democracyforsale.substack.com/p/this-is-wh... #AntiCorruption #Corruption #StateCapture
- Happening now!
- Very much looking forward to chatting to @petergeoghegan.bsky.social later today about all things #statecapture...!
- Am really excited to be talking about state capture, corruption and how billionaires are destroying democracy with the brilliant @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social at 5PM GMT tomorrow (Wednesday May 21). Do tune in! open.substack.com/live-stream/...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettAm really excited to be talking about state capture, corruption and how billionaires are destroying democracy with the brilliant @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social at 5PM GMT tomorrow (Wednesday May 21). Do tune in! open.substack.com/live-stream/...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettHer insights are essential for anyone working on accountability in tough political environments. You can also listen to her podcast with @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social and Marianne Camerar on our Kickback podcast: soundcloud.com/kickback-gap...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettHow does a state captured by corruption create a commission to investigate itself? #GIACE Fellow @devipillay.co.za reflects on her time with South Africa’s #ZondoCommission – a body that exposed state capture under Zuma+the Guptas, & somehow managed to exist at all. Read here: bit.ly/giaceblog4
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettReform clearly spent a lot of money in election campaign, especially in Runcorn. But it will be c 6 months before we know where the cash came from because of the huge lag in donation declarations Surely this should be published in real time as it is during general elections?
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettNew KickBack Episode! Dr Mario Hidalgo joins Prof @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social on Kickback to discuss how corruption enabled Ecuador’s shift from “Island of Peace” to a hub of organised crime. Tune in for insights on political polarisation and institutional unpreparedness. 🔗 bit.ly/131epSoundcloud
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettHow do you make resisting autocracy seem urgent, rather than abstract? The democracy movement in Tanzania has an answer I talked it through with @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social on KickBack (note: recorded before Tundu Lissu, mentioned, was charged with treason) open.spotify.com/episode/33qd...
- What does popular resistance to corruption look like in an autocracy? Recorded last week but all the more pertinent after the arrest of Tanzania’s opposition leader this week - a fascinating chat with the brilliant Dan Paget!
- How do you make resisting autocracy seem urgent, rather than abstract? The democracy movement in Tanzania has an answer I talked it through with @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social on KickBack (note: recorded before Tundu Lissu, mentioned, was charged with treason) open.spotify.com/episode/33qd...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettThe Trump Administration is tearing down anti-corruption guardrails. We point out in our latest article @brookings.edu that US businesses, policymakers, civil society, media, & citizens have tools to defend against a potentially devastating wave of corruption. www.brookings.edu/articles/us-...
- I really enjoyed writing this piece - but hats off to the @foreignaffairs.com editorial team for their genius sub-heading: The Art of the Steal...!
- I have a new piece out in Foreign Affairs on how #statecapture ruins economies and livelihoods... www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/r...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettOn Monday we released our 'Levelling the Playing Field' report highlighting how unequal access to government decision-makers risks sidelining the public interest. 📺 Here's our executive director @suehawley.bsky.social explaining why we need change if we're to win back public trust in politics.
- New article! Definitions matter. Working on this piece with Rebecca Dobson Phillips and @csc-barrington.bsky.social was a real labour of love - with many brain ache-inducing conversations over the years. We hope it will be useful for #anticorruption practitioners, scholars and nerds!
- NOW OUT ON FIRSTVIEW!! Defining Corruption in Context By Rebecca Dobson Phillips, Elizabeth Dávid-Barrett & Robert Barrington doi.org/10.1017/S153...
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettTonight we'll be joining @appgonacrt.bsky.social to discuss the report's findings with a brilliant panel including Alastair McCapra of @cipr.co.uk, Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists Harry Rich, @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social, @miriamlevin.bsky.social and our own @suehawley.bsky.social
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett
- Reposted by Liz David-BarrettNew KickBack episode: Dr Marianne Camerer & @devipillay.bsky.social join @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social to discuss state capture in South Africa, the role of civil society, and how pressure brought change. Essential listening on anti-corruption. Listen: bit.ly/Soundcloud129 #KickBack #GIACE
- How did whistleblowers, watchdog institutions and civil society orgs help turn the tide against state capture in South Africa? Find out in our latest episode of Kickback!
- New KickBack episode: Dr Marianne Camerer & @devipillay.bsky.social join @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social to discuss state capture in South Africa, the role of civil society, and how pressure brought change. Essential listening on anti-corruption. Listen: bit.ly/Soundcloud129 #KickBack #GIACE
- Reposted by Liz David-Barrett🚨 Developed by Transparency International and the @acdatacollective.bsky.social, the new Opacity in Real Estate Ownership (OREO) Index exposes major vulnerabilities in how countries prevent dirty money from entering property markets. Check it out! ➡️ anticorru.pt/3aq
